The Queensland Resources Council (QRC) has dismissed claims up to 1,000 of the state’s coal workers could have black lung disease.
The Queensland branch of the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU) estimates up to 1,000 coal miners could have black lung,
Since 1993, all Queensland coal miners have been required by law to undergo pre-employment chest X-rays, with another at least once every five years.
The X-rays must be sent to the Department of Natural Resources and Mines for review.
But the department said 150,000 X-rays of workers had not been checked due to a lack of qualified specialists.
However, QRC chief executive officer Michael Roche said he was confident an independent review due to start next week would show the CFMEU’s claims were false.
“I can only brand it as irresponsible scaremongering,” he said.
“Without foundation, the union is putting fear into thousands of coal workers on what basis?
“What we really need to do is allow the independent review to do its job.”
The CFMEU is concerned many former miners may have developed the disease after retirement and gone undiagnosed.
Black lung can continue to progress after coal dust exposure ceases and severe symptoms can emerge up to 15 years later.